1st Shift Assembler

1st Shift Assembler

The 1st Shift Assembler is responsible for manufacturing fixtures, signage, displays, and other custom products, ensuring all finished work is completed on time and meets established safety and quality standards. Depending on experience level, this role may involve working on more complex or larger assembly projects, providing guidance on production, quality, and safety issues, and serving as a lead installer on certain on-site installations. The position may also support inventory control, packing, shipping, clean-up, and other related administrative tasks as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assemble small to large components according to work orders and bills of materials, following detailed instructions to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Use tape measures and other measuring tools to verify part dimensions and confirm that components meet required specifications.
• Operate basic hand and power tools, including drills, table saws, and chop saws, in a safe and efficient manner.
• Build assembly kits by gathering, counting, and packaging required parts according to the bill of materials, ensuring all items are complete and properly labeled.
• Confirm that all components, documentation, and materials are complete and ready for production or shipment before work is released.
• Perform mechanical assembly tasks with minimal supervision, maintaining high standards of workmanship and productivity.
• Read and interpret bills of materials, blueprints, and work instructions accurately to guide assembly processes.
• Use hand and power tools proficiently in a production environment, including impact drills and other common shop equipment.
• Apply transferable skills from carpentry or cabinetry backgrounds to build and assemble structures and custom components.
• Perform basic electrical assembly tasks such as soldering, wire stripping, and organizing connectors, following safety and quality guidelines.
• Complete plug-and-play electrical assemblies (no wiring), including LED connectors and cable management, ensuring clean and functional installations.
• Carry out all Level 1 and Level 2 responsibilities with a high level of accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail.
• Apply strong mechanical expertise to complex or custom assemblies, troubleshooting and resolving issues as they arise.
• Serve as a highly experienced assembler and technical resource on the production floor, supporting teammates and contributing to continuous improvement.
• Support inventory control activities by helping track, organize, and replenish materials and components as needed.
• Assist with packing and shipping, including wrapping finished products, preparing them for transport, and ensuring they are shipped correctly.
• Participate in general shop clean-up and maintenance to keep the work area safe, organized, and efficient.
• Act as a lead installer on certain on-site installations, ensuring products are installed correctly and meet customer expectations.
• Help identify and resolve production, quality, and safety issues, escalating concerns appropriately and contributing to solutions.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of approximately 8 months of continuous job tenure, with preference for at least 1 year of stable work history.
• Ability to assemble components using work orders, bills of materials, and written instructions.
• Competence in using tape measures and other measuring tools to verify dimensions accurately.
• Experience operating basic hand and power tools, including drills, table saws, chop saws, impact drills, and other common shop tools.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, bills of materials, and production documentation.
• Mechanical aptitude and experience working in a production or general labor environment.
• Capability to perform mechanical assembly with minimal supervision while maintaining quality standards.
• Basic electrical assembly skills, including soldering, wire stripping, and organizing connectors, for applicable levels.
• Ability to complete plug-and-play electrical assemblies, including LED connectors and cable management, for applicable levels.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when building assembly kits, gathering parts, and preparing products for shipment.
• Comfort working with cabinetry or carpentry tasks, including building structures and assemblies from materials pulled to specification.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality, with the ability to meet scheduled hours and production deadlines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in carpentry, cabinetry, or similar trades that involve building and assembling structures.
• Experience as an assembler, machine operator, or general laborer in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to pull materials, build structures, and prepare finished products for wrapping and shipment.
• Experience working from blueprints and technical drawings to complete assemblies.
• Familiarity with production environments that involve glue, fumes, and noise, with appropriate adherence to safety practices.
• Ability to serve as a lead installer or advanced assembler, providing guidance and technical support to others on the production floor.
• Willingness to support inventory control, packing, shipping, and administrative tasks as needed.
• Comfort working in small, close-knit teams and collaborating with 7–8 coworkers on shared production goals.

Why Work Here?

Employees join a close-knit production team where collaboration and internal growth are strongly encouraged. The organization promotes from within, allowing team members to start in assembly and transition into other production roles as they develop their skills. Regular annual reviews provide opportunities for raises based on both company performance and individual contributions, fostering a culture of recognition and merit. The work is steady and engaging, driven by ongoing projects with major retail and food service brands, including innovative new patented rack systems and recurring large-scale redesign initiatives. The company prioritizes doing what is necessary for the customer rather than focusing solely on profit, creating a values-driven environment that emphasizes quality, reliability, and long-term relationships.

Work Environment

This role is based in a typical manufacturing facility that can be noisy and may at times have strong smells from glue and other fumes, requiring comfort in an industrial setting and adherence to safety protocols. Standard hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with summer hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day running Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Overtime is available on a voluntary basis but is not mandatory, offering flexibility for those who want additional hours. The work is performed in small teams of approximately 7–8 people, fostering a close-knit, collaborative environment on the production floor. Dress code consists of jeans, a casual shirt, and closed-toe shoes, with safety glasses required while working to ensure proper protection.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Middleton, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $17.00 - $24.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Middleton, WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 2026.